Names of the Texas Indian TribesTexas is a state of the southwestern US, on the Gulf of Mexico. There are many famous Native American tribes who played a part in the history of the state and whose tribal territories and homelands are located in the present day state of Texas. The names of the Texas tribes included the Apache, Alabama, Atakapa, Biloxi, Caddo, Cherokee, Choctaw, Comanche, Creeks, Koasati, Koroa, Kiowa, Muskogee, Pueblos, Quapaw, Shawnee, Waco and Wichita. Some of these tribes migrated to the Great Plains.

Fast Facts about the History of Texas IndiansThe climate, land, history, environment and natural resources that were available to the indigenous Indian tribes in Texas resulted in the adoption of the Southwest culture and some adopted the Great Plains Indians culture.

Name of State: Texas

Meaning of State name: Texas comes from the Caddo Indian word "teysha" meaning "hello friend" referring to the friendly tribes throughout the region

Geography, Environment and Characteristics of the State of Texas: Gulf coast plain Great plains and low mountains

Culture adopted by Texas Indians: Southwest Cultural Group and some adopted the Great Plains culture

1803: The United States bought the Louisiana Territory from France for 15 million dollars for the land

1812: 1812 - 1815: The War of 1812 between U.S. and Great Britain, ended in a stalemate but confirmed America's Independence

1820: The Texas–Indian wars (1820 - 1875) were a series of conflicts between settlers in Texas and Plains Indians.

1830: Indian Removal Act

1832: Department of Indian Affairs established

1849: The Jicarilla War fought between the Jicarilla Apaches and Ute warriors against the United States

1858: Antelope Hills Expedition (aka the Battle of Little Robe Creek) between the Texas Rangers and the Tonkawa against Comanche and Kiowa villages in the Comancheria beginning in Texas

1861: 1861 - 1900 Apache Wars in Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. Leaving the reservation attacks were made on outposts led by Geronimo and Cochise. Geronimo surrendered in 1886 but others carried on the fight until 1900

1861: 1861 - 1865: The American Civil War.

1862: U.S. Congress passes Homestead Act opening the Great Plains to settlers

1865: The surrender of Robert E. Lee on April 9 1865 signalled the end of the Confederacy

1870: 1870 Battle of the Little Wichita River between 6th Cavalry and Kiowa Indians

1873: 1873 - The 10th Cavalry consisting of black enlisted men commanded by white officers and called "Buffalo Soldiers" by their Cheyenne adversaries are transferred from Fort Sill, Indian Territory to Texas

1874: Red River War in Northern Texas against the Arapaho, Comanche, Cheyenne and Kiowa tribes, who eventually surrendered

1877: The Buffalo Hunters' War, or the Staked Plains War

1887: Dawes General Allotment Act passed by Congress leads to the break up of the large Indian Reservations and the sale of Indian lands to white settlers

1969: All Indians declared citizens of U.S.

1979: American Indian Religious Freedom Act was passed

History of Texas Indians - Destruction and DeclineThe history of the European invasion brought epidemic diseases such as tuberculosis, cholera, influenza, measles and smallpox. The Native Indians of Texas had not developed immunities against these diseases resulting in huge losses in population. Exploitation including the leverage of taxes, enforced labor and enslavement were part of their history, taking their toll on the Texas Indians.